Partition structure



Dec. 8, 1964 R. R. RUHNKE 3,

PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 8, 1964R. R. RUHNKE PARTITION STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 11, 1962Iwm I/QP man Z United States Patent 3,160,281 PARTITION STRUCT RichardR'Ruhnke, Slrolrie, lib, assignor. to Garey (Zorporation, a corporationof Illinois Filed Sept. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 222,890 12 Claims. (Cl.211-177) This invention relates'to a partition structure, and isparticularly concerned with means for securing a plurality of basemembers together to form a platform of any desired length, and means forsecuring uprights to said platform.

The uprights are designed. for supporting a plurality of partitions toform a continuous wall. The partitions may support shelves upon whichmerchandise may be displayed. I

Partition structures of thetypewith which thepresent invention isconcerned have heretofore been relatively expensive because considerableassembly work was required at the installation site. The uprightsrequired to support the partition couldnot be assembled with the basemembers at the factory because. considerably more space would berequiredforshipping the components to the installation site. Theuprights were welded to the base plates and therefore the base platescould not be secured to the platform exceptat the installation site.

In accordance with the present invention, adapter plates that do notproject beyond the perimeter of the floor of the base 'member aresecured to the sides of the base members at the factory. Adapter plateshave inwardly and upwardly extending lips that provide a seat forsecurely holding the lower end of the upright. An unattached clamp platepositioned on the floor at the joint between adjacent base membersforces adjacent edges of the base members together and holds themagainst accidental separation. Each upright is merely dropped into anopening provided therefor between the adjacent edges of adjoining basemembers. 1 y

The only operation performed with tools of any kind is at the outer endsof each series of base members forming a platform. At each of said outerends of the installation, the end upright is secured against the outerend of the platform by a screw that is passed through registeringapertures in theupright and is screwed into an aperture in the upper endof the adjacent adapter plate.

In the event any installation is to be remodeled, the present inventionfacilitates removal of any base member. After the uprights at oppositeedges of a base member are lifted out of engagement with the adapterplate, the base member may be removed by lifting it vertically todisengage its side walls from the clamp plates holding it in place.

The structure by means of which the above mentioned and other advantagesof the invention may be attained will be fully described in thefollowing specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings showinga preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a partially completedpartition structure embodying the invention, in which sections of thepartition structure are in various stages of assembly;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the adapter plate; I

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the clamp plate;

'FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along theline 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 5-5of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken Y but spaced fromsaid back section.

along the longitudinal center of the platform,but with the uprightpartition omitted; and

FIG. 7is a cross sectional view, taken along the line '7-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, a plurality of base members 2 are securedtogether in side by side relationship to form a platform of any desiredlength. The base members may be arranged in end to end relationship, ifdesired. The base member is preferably made of wood, but may be made ofany suitable material or materials. Each base member comprises ahorizontal panel 3, two longitudinal side walls 4, 5, and two end walls6, 7. The side Walls and end walls are of uniform height and are securedto the underside of panel 3 in spaced relationship to the perimeter ofthe horizontal panel. The end walls are spaced uniformly from theperimeter of the horizontal panel 'so that the complete platform willhave a uniform appearance when the base members are assembled in side byside relationship, regardless of whether corresponding ends 'of the basemembers are aligned. on the same sides of the platform. The side wallsof each base member are also spaced uniformly from the perimeter of thepanel 3, but this spacing may or may not be the same as the spacing ofthe end walls from the perimeter of the panel. The lower edge of eachside wall 4 and 5 is preferably recessed along the intermediate portionof its length, as indicated at 4, to facilitate handling the basemembers.

Each longitudinal edge of the horizontal panel 3 is provided with anotch 8 at its center. The notches are identical, and the base of eachnotch is flush with the outer surface of the adjacent longitudinal wall4 or 5.

.The notches are preferably rectangular so as to form a square opening 9when two base members are secured in side by side relationship. Atubular upright 10 having a square cross section fits snugly in eachopening h. If desired, the upright may have a cross section of anydesired configuration, such as, for example, circular, oval orpolygonal. The notches are preferably shaped to fit snugly around theperimeter of the upright.

An anchor plate 11, preferably having a height approximately equal tothe height of centerportions of side walls 4, 5 is secured to each ofthe side walls at its center portion. The anchor plate preferably ismade of sheet metal bent along parallel lines to form a back section 12,two intermediate sections 13, two angular sections 14 and two outersections 15. The intermediate sections 13 extend outwardly from theplane of the back section at the opposite edges of said back section.The angular sections 14 extend from the outer edges of intermediatesections 13 to the plane of said back section The outer sections 15extend outwardly from the outer edges of angular sections 14 and arecoplanar with the back section 12. The outer sections 15 are apertured,as indicated at 16, to receive bolts 17, by means of which the anchorplate is secured to one of the walls 4, 5. A nut 18 is screwed on eachbolt 17 to hold it in place.

The back section 12 and the two intermediate sections 13 cooperate toform a channel that preferably has a cross sectional area conforming toone half the perimeter of the upright It The channel is alignedvertically with notch 8, and the outer edge of the sheet metal definingthe bend between each section 13 and the adjacent angular opening'9 andin the channels aligned vertically with said opening.

A lip 19, struck from the lower portion of back section 12 extendsoutwardly from the back section to form an upwardly extending pocket 20adapted to receive the Patented Dec. 8, 1964 lower end of one wall ofthe tubular upright 10. Preferably the lip 19 extends upwardly at anangle to facilitate entry of the lower end of the upright and to providea wedging action as the lower end of the tubular upright is moveddownwardly into the oppositely disposed pockets. The free end of lip 19is spaced from the plane of back section 12 a distance less than halfthe internal width of tubular upright 10 so that it does not interferewith the lip 'of the back section of the adjoining anchor plate, whichmust receive the lower end of the opposite wall of tubular upright 10.The spacing of the free end of 'lip 19 also permits it to enter thelower end of a tubular upright It? having half the width of upright 10.Uprights 10' are used at the outer end of each platform to enhance theappearance of said outer ends. Each upright 10 or 10' has a pair ofaligned apertures 21 to receive a screw 22. The screw is passed throughboth apertures 21 and is screwed into a threaded aperture 23 in backsection 12 to secure the end upright in proper position. Preferably theadjacent wall 4 or is provided with an aperture 24 aligned withapertures 21 and 23 to receive the end of screw 22. Screws 22 are usedonly in connection with the end uprights on the platform. Theintermediate uprights are securely held by the interengagement of lips19 with the lower end of the upright.

Clamp plates 25 are positioned adjacent opposite ends of each pair ofwalls 4 and 5 to facilitate assembling the base members 2 in side byside relationship. As shown in FIG. 1, a clamp plate is positioned atright angles to the longitudinal wall of one base member,and each clampis adapted to engage the adjacent wall of the adjoining base members.Each clamp plate comprises a flat base 26 having an upstanding flange 27at one end and a similar flange 28 at its opposite end. The flangesprovide rigidity for the clamp plate.

The parallel spaced lips 29, 30 are struck upwardly from base 26 toprovide abutments adapted to engage the inner surface of one wall 4 or 5at two spaced points. Abutments 29, 30 are arranged to extendlongitudinally of base 26 to provide maximum resistance to the movementof the wall 4, 5 toward flange 28. A lip 31 is struck upwardly from base26 to form another abutment adapted to engage the outer surface of thewall engaged by the abutments 29, 30. Although the abutments 29, 30 and31 are described as lips struck from base 26, it will be understand thatthey may be of any suitable form. For example, separate bars may bewelded to base 26, a channel member of proper widthcould be welded tothe base, or the base could be bent transversely to form an integralchannel. As each base member 2 is secured to one side of a similar basemember, a clamp plate is positioned under the outer wall of said basemember adjacent each end thereof, with said outer wall resting on base26 and engaging the abutments 29, 30 and 31. Each anchor plate is thusheld firmly in position without any fastening means securing it to basemember 2 and with approximately half its widthprojecting outwardly ofthe wall engaged by said abutments.

A resilient strip 32 has one end portion 33 welded to.

The weight of the base member forces flange36v fiat against base 26, andthe resilience of strip 32 causesthe abutment 35 to urge the newly addedbase member toward the adjoining base member until the adjacent edges ofadjoining panels 3 abut. The resilient abutment 35 prevents lateralmovement of said second base member outwardly from said first basemember, and the abutment form a platform, the partition panels 37 may bemounted between the uprights in conventional manner, and a top molding38 may be applied to the top edge of the panels to enhance theappearance of the complete structure.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention inconsiderable detail, it will be understood that the description thereofis intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many detailsmay be modified or changed Without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to theexact structure described.

I claim:

1. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls, said basemembers being arranged in side by side relationship, and a plurality ofclamp plates loosely mounted under said basev members to engage sidewalls of adjacent base members and thereby prevent relative lateralmovement of said base member, the adjoining edges of adjacent horizontalpanels abutting each other to conceal the clamp plates when said clampplates engage side walls of adjacent base members.

2. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls, said basemembers being arranged in side by side relationship, and a plurality ofunattached clamp plates, each of said clamp plates engaging the adjacentside walls of adjoining base members, each of said clamp plates havingmeans urging one of said sidewalls toward the other to hold them againstrelative lateral displacement, with the adjoining edges of adjacenthorizontal panels abutting each other.

I 3. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls, said basemembers being arranged in side by side relationship, and a plurality ofclamp plates loosely mounted under said base members, each of said clampplates having rigid spaced abutments engaging opposite surfaces of oneside wall of one base member and a resilient abutment engaging onesurface of the adjacent side Wall of the adjoining base member to urgesaid last. mentioned side wall toward said first mentioned side wall andprevent outward lateral displacement of said base members, with theadjoining edges of adjacent horizontal panels abutting eaeh other toconceal the. clamp plates in the assembled platform structure.

4. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls, meansholding said base members against relative lateral displacement withadjacent side walls of, adjoining base members spaced apart, and ananchor plate mounted on the outer surface of each side wall, the anchorplates of adjacent side walls cooperating to receive and hold an uprighttherebetween.

5. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members and atubular upright projecting from adjoining base members, each of saidbasemembers having a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls,means holding said base members against relative lateral displacementwith adjacent side walls of adjoining base members spaced apart, and ananchor plate mounted on theouter surface of each side wall, the anchorplates of adjacent side walls having upwardly extending lips adapted toproject into the lower end of said tubular uprights, said lipscooperating to hold said upright between adjacent base members.

6. A platform structure comprising a plurality ofbase members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls, meansholding said base members against relative lateral displacement withsaid horizontal panels contiguous to each other, each of said panelshaving a notch in two opposite edges, and an anchor plate secured toeach of said side walls adjacent said notches, each of said anchorplates having a channel aligned vertically with the adjacent notch, theanchor plates secured to adjacent side walls cooperating to receive andhold an upright therebetween.

7. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls, meansholding said base members against relative lateral displacement withsaid horizontal panels contiguous to each other, each of said panelshaving a notch in two opposite edges, and an anchor plate secured toeach of said side walls adjacent said notches, each of said anchorplates having a channel aligned vertically with the adjacent notch, anda lip projecting upwardly from each of said channels, said lips beingengageable with an upright having its lower end inserted through theopening formed by said notches, to hold said upright.

8. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls, clampplates loosely mounted under said base members, each of said clampplates engaging adjacent side Walls of adjoining base members andholding said base members against relative lateral displacement withadjacent side walls of adjoining base members spaced apart, and ananchor plate mounted on the outer surface of each side wall, the anchorplates of adjacent side walls cooperating to receive and hold an uprighttherebetween.

9. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and a pair of depending side walls spacedinwardly from the perimeter of said horizontal panel, each longitudinaledge of said panel having a notch extending inwardly to the verticalplane of the side Wall, each of said notches abutting the notch of anadjacent base member when two of said base members are juxtaposed, meansholding adjacent base members in juxtaposed position, an anchor platesecured to each of said side walls, each of said anchor plates having achannel aligned with the adjacent notch, said channels cooperating toreceive the lower end of an upright inserted through the opening formedby said abutting notches.

10. A platform structure comprising a plurality of base members eachhaving a horizontal panel and depending side walls spaced inwardly fromthe perimeter of said horizontal panel, each longitudinal edge of saidpanel having a notch extending inwardly to the vertical plane of theside Wall, each of said notches abutting the notch of an adjacent basemember when two of said base members are juxtaposed, clamp platesloosely mounted under said base members, each of said clamp platesengaging adjacent side walls of adjoining base members and holding themin spaced relationship, an anchor plate secured to each of said sidewalls with each of said anchor plates having a channel aligned with theadjacent notch, said channels cooperating to receive the lower end of anupright inserted through the opening formed by said abutting notcheswhen two of said base members are juxtaposed.

11. A clamp plate for holding a pair of separate base members havingdepending side walls in side by side relationship, said clamp platecomprising a plurality of spaced rigid abutments adapted to engageopposite surfaces of one side wall of one of said base members and aresilient abutment adapted to engage the remote surface of the adjacentside wall of said other base member to urge said second base membertoward said first base member and to prevent relative lateral outwardmovement between said base members.

12. An anchor plate having a vertical channel shaped to fit snuglyaround one-half the perimeter of a tubular upright, two coplanarsections spaced outwardly of the longitudinal edges of said channel,said sections being apertured to receive fastening means whereby saidanchor plate may be secured to a vertical support surface, and a lipprojecting upwardly from said channel adapted to extend into the lowerend of a tubular upright fitted in said channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS588,195 Taylor Aug. 17, 1897 2,675,287 Sitler Apr. 13, 1954 2,682,087Siering June 29, 1954 2,780,850 Liefi Feb. 12, 1957 2,991,889 Levy July11, 1961 3,015,466 Levy Jan. 2, 1962 3,066,367 Garman Dec. 4, 1962

4. A PLATFORM STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF BASE MEMBERS EACHHAVING A HORIZONTAL PANEL AND A PAIR OF DEPENDING SIDE WALLS, MEANSHOLDING SAID BASE MEMBERS AGAINST RELATIVE LATERAL DISPLACEMENT WITHADJACENT SIDE WALLS OF ADJOINING BASE MEMBERS SPACED APART, AND ANANCHOR PLATE MOUNTED ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF EACH SIDE WALL, THE ANCHORPLATES OF ADJACENT SIDE WALLS COOPERATING TO RECEIVE AND HOLD AN UPRIGHTTHEREBETWEEN.